Antique Ayres Rocking Horse

Cameron Restored Ayres rocking horse retaining much originality

Cameron is a highly original Ayres rocking horse, dating to circa 1910. He just completed a light restoration, managing to preserve much of his originality. He still bears the retailers stencil, Barkers of Kensington, on his stand base. The paintwork is original only lightly re-touched. The original leather saddle and pommel have also been retained only the saddle cloths, bridle, and and tail have been replaced, which is fairly original for a rocking horse over 100 years old.The stand has been repaired and re-varnished, again retaining the stencil mark, it is therefore sound and in full working order.It is not often we have this much originality on a rocking horse that is 100 years and more old.

Height 44"

Body Length 25"

Length Overall 50"

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Frederick Henry Ayres was one of the leading late Victorian toy and rocking horse manufacturers. Probably second only to Lines in output, many would regard Ayres as more classic. F H Ayres was innovative with a string of interesting patents for rocking horse designs. The firm was based at 111 Aldersgate, London from 1864 until 1940, supplying most London department stores, such as Harrods as well as being widely exported. Ayres rocking horses are undoubtably the most collectable of antique rocking horses.

John Barker & Co Ltd was a substantive department store on Kensington High Street between 1870 and 1957, continuing until 2006 as part of the House of Fraser. It was common for such large retailers to have their business names stenciled on rocking horses.

To purchase or find out more about this horse, please contact Sally, either by email or phone on the links on the footer, or better still, visit our showroom in the scenic Shropshire Hills, we would be delighted to see you.